Copied by request from http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=124651 ... ----- I get this question a lot. Because: * You bumped your thread by saying "bump" * You bumped it by posting more pics or measurements in a reply to the OP * You bumped it by answering a question in a reply to the OP * You bumped it to say "item x sold" * You bumped it to say "somebody buy these please" * You bumped it for any other reason other than a significant price reduction, added items, or move to ebay at low starting bid * You bumped it to say "PM sent" or anything like that * You bumped it * You bumped it * You bumped it * You bumped it, "but only once per day/week/whatever" (?!!!!!??!??!!!) * You bumped it for _____ reason * You bumped it because you can't/won't read/follow rules * You bumped it because you want to drive us all crazy and cause us more hassle GET THE IDEA?! QUIT IT. Deleting your bumps and closing your threads is a pain and it makes me feel stupid when I have to spend my time doing it despite being quite clear about the rules. The other mods don't enjoy it either. Do you think maybe you could stop now? THANKS. BTW, if you PM/email me this question, I will generally just ignore it because the rules are here to see. Then again, if you're reading this, you shouldn't have any reason to PM or email me this question, so I suppose this addendum is pointless. -- Addendum: additional items or "items moved to ebay", assuming they are not used to game the system, are acceptable reasons to bump a thread. (4/30/10)

And just to clarify for clarity sake: Is it true that: -One cannot answer questions in their own threads and in effect, bump the thread? I know, i know, getting repetative, just want to get it from the Horse's mouth.

Seems kind of Draconian, no? I'm not a frequent seller here, so I guess it's not a huge deal for me, but it seems like mere protocol to answer a question asked by reply, as you did in this very thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nataku

+1

It's the rule we decided on because it is fairest IMO. Whether or not you agree it is the rule, sorry.

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Originally Posted by aleksandr

I don't sell very much, but I do buy from time to time. If I PM the seller I like to post "PM Sent" to bump his thread as a show of support as well. Is this not allowed?

It's allowed, but kind of lame IMO. We don't police it but sometimes it does look suspicious when someone's thread keeps coming up.

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Originally Posted by ferguscan

I think the rules apply only to sellers bumping their own threads. I think buyers can do what they want. Stuart

Yes.

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Originally Posted by jreigen

I think it's very clear - as I understand it, the only reason to post a response in your own thread is for a price drop or to add items. Anything else can easily be accomplished via editing original post or PM. I'll be the first to admit I've done some of these before, but won't be doing them again.

Yes.

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Originally Posted by oneeightyseven

what if we cant edit the original post because its been too long?

Let me/Fok know and we will delete your original thread and you can make a new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj_del

I feel a free bump by the seller should be allowed after a certain period of time. Else the only option after he's done price dropping is to start a new thread for the same item. A seller should be able to get some new eyeballs on his stuff without having to infinitely price drop. I am not saying it should be allowed once per 24 hours but something like once per fortnight should be allowed IMO.

I pretty much agree that that would be fair, but as of now it would be way more work to police that than the current system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketCircle

There are two problems: 1) Sometimes the item is not sold for a few months and it's impossible to update the original thread. 2) Sometimes just after listing some new stuff, a few brainy people start 10 threads at the same time (one for each item they sell) and the new thread is out of the first page in just 10-15 minutes.

1. see above 2. The brainy people should be reported and the threads will be consolidated or deleted because that is against the rules.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fibonacci

I agree, this is bad policy. If I have a question on an item but I see that someone has already asked it, I expect the answer to be replied so that it is public (and I can be informed of it by subscribing to the thread). If the OP PMs the asker, then I won't see it. If the OP just updates his original post, then I won't see it unless I go back to the thread. Therefore this policy does a disservice not only to sellers but to buyers as well.

Actually, it could be looked at the other way in that now the OP has more complete and relevant information, so viewers will be better informed. Either way, it is the way it is for reasons stated above.

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Originally Posted by 1969

Has the entire system of "tagging" gone away, or is it just because I'm using Google Chrome? As a buyer it was great to look for tags (39R, Caruso, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahjota

^^ Yes. J posted something a long while ago about the tags being a major factor in forum slowdown.

Yes, as soon as the Visa thing is over, I plan to move us to the newest 3.x version of the forum software (I don't like the template system or the look of 4.0 and who knows what bugs need fixing still) and vBulletin's internal tagging system will be implemented. So we are without tags for a few more weeks.

OK--so am I not allowed to repost an item that my thread got locked for? I had no idea about the new change in rules so my thread was locked and I want to drop the price... so my only option is to make a new thread right? But I did that, and my thread got deleted. Am I just not allowed to sell this item here anymore??

What has worked really well for people is to PM me or LA Guy and say "hey - noticed my thread was locked, sorry I didn't understand the rules fully but I promise to comply from now on, do you think you could unlock it this one time?" What has not worked well is to just repost the same thread without any notice to us that you realize you broke one of the rules. It looks to us like you are just gaming the system to basically get a free bump for your new thread. I realize all this sounds dickish but please understand dealing with this crap is tedious and boring, and wastes time we could be spending on things that would benefit the people who do follow the simple rules of this place.

What has worked really well for people is to PM me or LA Guy and say "hey - noticed my thread was locked, sorry I didn't understand the rules fully but I promise to comply from now on, do you think you could unlock it this one time?"

What has not worked well is to just repost the same thread without any notice to us that you realize you broke one of the rules. It looks to us like you are just gaming the system to basically get a free bump for your new thread.

I realize all this sounds dickish but please understand dealing with this crap is tedious and boring, and wastes time we could be spending on things that would benefit the people who do follow the simple rules of this place.

Well.. given that you said in this thread specifically that you don't really plan on responding to most PMs, I figured it would be less work for everyone if I just reposted it and followed the rules this time.

...
2. The brainy people should be reported and the threads will be consolidated or deleted because that is against the rules.

When I see this stuff, I tend to delete the threads, rather than consolidate them. I don't see why I should do extra work to consolidate your threads when you decided to game the system. Deleting the thread makes more work for you, and is much easier for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmaozedong

Well.. given that you said in this thread specifically that you don't really plan on responding to most PMs, I figured it would be less work for everyone if I just reposted it and followed the rules this time.

Just because we don't respond to every single PM doesn't mean that we don't read them. The best thing is to PM both j and me, so that everyone knows the deal. I generally do not respond to PMs that read "I don't understand what rules I've broken?" or "I didn't technically break a rule." In the first case, it's your responsibility to figure out that you're playing by the rules. Other people can do it, so can you. In the second case, remember that the only real rule is "don't be dickish." We make up the rules as we go. If something is no covered by the rules, but seems dickish, you will get dinged anyway. Here's the guideline - if you are trying to do something that is going to give yourself an advantage over other sellers, other than offering terrific merchandise at fire sale prices, it's probably dickish.